Friday funnies: txt spk

I have learned something from you, dear students.

roflcopter

(from Urban Dictionary)
The superior being of chatspeak, 'roflcopter' out takes down all lollerbladers, lmaoplanes and various other outlawls. Pilots of the roflcopter often enjoy a nice crispy ZOMGBBQPIZZA and some lolmonade. Children also enjoy a good ride in the roflcopter, as it spreads smiles and festivals known as the 'lolapalooza' across the world.

Captain Sloloman of the elite omega roflcopter squad enjoyed a fresh ZOMGBBQPIZZA and a cool lolmonade after his swift victory over the lollerbladers, lmaoplanes and outlawls and returning safely to the lolapalooza.

LOL is now completely lame. ZOMG!!!

Friday Funnies - Tears in Rain (in LEGO)

Gotta love lego people!!

Exam Revision.

Here are the powerpoints I used in class.

www.worldofteaching.com/powerpoints/.../pride%20and%20prejudice.ppt

http://www.slideshare.net/jrawlins22/pride-and-prejudice

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proseprideprej/

http://www.slideshare.net/MissP/blade-runner-powerpoint-161568


enjoy!

SINKHOLE!!!!!

Apparently, this is not a result of us wrecking the environment, but a natural, geological occurrence. Yikes!

More human than human.

Harrison Ford. Not just Indy Jones and Han Solo, but mega Spunkrat for those of us of a more advanced age, in a Gen-X kind of way.....

What is it about Rick Deckard in Blade Runner? With his dishevelled, disinterested, uneasily noirish approach to his murderous profession? Classic anti-hero in a Phillip Marlowe sense, doing what he hates, but what needs to be done. TCB.

And now for the $50 000 question. Replicant, or not? The director's cut muddies the android waters somewhat.

Read this!!!

Go to: http://www.truly-free.org/ and download Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

Similarities? Differences??

I will give you a couple of days to read this novella, then give you some of my bloggy ideas!

Do Teachers dream of cosmic sleep?

I certainly do.

Dreams. What are they all about? Are they real, lucid or fantastical, mind meanderings which we tuck furtively away into those nether regions of our sub-consciousness?

For me, very occasionally, art gives hope, a type of wish-fulfillment that the world could be a different place. Things like the simple yet blindingly poignant death speech of Roy Batty, who, in a few words, reveals his understanding of the world and empathy for man through the ages. At that moment, he is indeed more human than human.

If only human empathy were that simple.


All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain.
Time to die.

I hope you come to love Blade Runner as much as I do. :-) Tell me what you really think of it.

Caught in the Net

You may have noticed that I love a cheesy pun. Also that it's time for the return of some bloggedy goodness into the lives of Literature loving folks everywhere....well, perhaps in a certain North Eastern 'burb.

I am zinging with excitement at the thought of beginning our next adventure: The Shark Net. This novel certainly resonates with me in some weirdly personal way.

Almost exactly 5 years ago, my geologist husband scooped me out of my snug, lifetime-membership to a cosy, Melbourne existence and dragged me 3000kms westward to the land of Wait Awhile. This place can certainly be a shock to the system to a gal from what passes for the big (cultural) smoke in our little but large, brown land.

I can imagine Robert Drewe, although a child in a quieter, more traditional time, would have felt some similar sense of culture-shock to begin with.

Perth has, without a doubt, the absolute best weather in this country and from my limited travel abroad, I might be quietly confident in proclaiming it the best weather in the world. Everything moves at this relaxed, languid, chilled level. I took my collection of ten or so Melbourne winter coats, which we wear pretty much from April to November, and left them in the back of the closet; short-sleeves were still de rigueur till about July, when the longer sleeved tops would come out.

My first reading of The Shark Net was in Freo earlier this year, eerily close to so many landmarks from the novel, including the gaol where Cooke was hanged. I've just re-read it on the plane, returning yet again from this city one struggles to live in but which seems somehow to slither furtively into one's consciousness.

Well, enough about me. We will be beginning this Wednesday with some historical context, then moving onto....wait for it....Oral presentations! I can hear the groans from here.

See you soon!

Feedback Widget.

Hello!!! Long time, no type.

I am unwinding in front of the 1979 version of Pride and Prejudice, written by Fay Weldon. Quite a bizarre idea to put Austen's words into the mouths of her erstwhile characters (not quite relevant, but I do like the word erstwhile), but it kind of works, despite the wooden, 1970s-BBC production values.

Anyhoo.....

SAC time in 2 sleeps. You will be writing an essay on either class or gender. Remember that Austen uses the narrative techniques of characterisation, irony and dialogue to position the reader to see certain views and values. Try to start using these literary terms. Even if you don't quite pull it off, it's great practice.

(I interrupt this blog to report that Elizabeth Garvie is a delightful Lizzy Bennet!)

If you are writing about class, remember that the historical context of Pride and Prejudice was that the class system was all-pervasive and extremely pronounced. However, Austen shows through her characters, irony and dialogue that class is no replacement for good manners. Consider Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

If you are writing about gender roles and marriage, keep an eye to the complexities of this issue in Austen's time. Women had to get married for financial and social security and Austen reinforces this concept with Charlotte Lucas' pragmatic marriage to Collins, but she also expresses her views that marriage must be based on an equal love, incorporating intellectual and emotional compatibility. Also, keep in mind that Jane and Bingley's love is presented as a romantic ideal; a meeting of two perfectly lovely people, however Austen does not necessarily present them as a completely successful match.

Good luck!!

Love and marriage....essays and marriage.........

So, what does Jane think about marriage? What are the features of a successful marriage, according to a woman who never entered into that hallowed state?

In your intro, I would certainly explain that marriage was a key concern of Jane Austen's day (and why), ie: putting this into historical context. (we will be discussing this tomorrow, so bring your textbook!) If you're a clever cookie, you will incorporate and explain the levels of meaning in the opening truism of the novel. (yes, we have discussed this!)

The body of your essay should include a detailed discussion, with evidence and quotes, of each of the 5 main marriages and whether JA considers them successful or not (and why). Remember, that some marriages we may not consider successful in the modern era (ie: Charlotte and Collins), served a very real purpose back in the Regency. Make sure you keep a sense of context, ie: what was appropriate to the author in her era.

Conclusions are for summing up, reiterating the topic and ending with a super-intelligent quote, to show me that you're the best literature student ever! No new points though!

A Man's House is his.....Castle?

Well, if your name's Fitzwilliam Darcy, then it is kind of a, um, I guess a castle. What do you make of Elizabeth's trip to Pemberley? Lizzy jokes to Jane that she first began to have feelings for Darcy when she saw his home. Oh my sides, Lizzy, you're such a card! But how much of this do you think is true? Not necessarily the whole wealth bit, maybe what she learned, saw, experienced there?

WDYT?

Friday Funnies.....not quite on Friday, but still funny!!!

Ok, so this is an absolute cracker. You will no doubt be rolling on the floor laughing, if not laughing off your derriere. (LOYD? sadly, not as catchy as LMAO) I do love a bit of pertinent, Chaser humour.



Check out the bridezilla with attitude at the end.

On a less-funny note, please make sure you are submitting your weekly homework, or MzMez's steely glare will be unleashed tomorrow!

Worst Film Version of W.P.E.

In which Matthew MacFadyen and Kiera Knightley yell at each other intensely in a Gothic downpour in a laughable, Bronte-esque parody.

Homework Helper.....

OK, first things first.....yay to M.J. for being the first to 'follow' this blog of true awesomeness. A chocolate bar bribe awaits thee on Wednesday!

Secondly, I have occasioned the pain of being accosted in the schoolyard by the plaintive cry of "Ms!!! I don't get the homework!!!" Well, knock me over with a lace-trimmed bonnet! I would have thought this week's questions were quite modest in their demands.

So, because I'm the best and most modest teacher, ever, I will proffer the following help:

Questions 1+2: your own opinion! Think! Use your highly regarded brains! I know you can!

Questions 3, 4+5: basic comprehension: check the novel!

Question 6: yikes! Worst. Proposal. Ever!

Question 7: we didn't discuss this in class, but fairly self-explanatory. Basically, does Darcy's letter of explanation offer Lizzy any insights into her own prejudices? Does she change her opinion? Does she see how blind she has been?

Question 8: use the chart to work your way through the proposal and letter. Start in the first column with Lizzy's initial, polite rejection of the offer of marriage, then the next column for how Darcy reacts, then the third for Lizzy's reaction to that. Then go back to the first column for the next point etc. Get it?

Good luck, may the Borg be with you!

Friday funnies......

The Jane Austen Punishments List

1. An evening at a recital given by Mary Bennet.
2. A tour of Rosings with Mr. Collins
   - OR -
   Watching an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous guest-hosted by Mr. Collins.
3. An audience with the Queen accompanied by Mrs. Bennet.
4. A girls' clothes-shopping expedition and makeover with Caroline Bingley.
5. Having Lydia Bennet over for a two weeks' holiday.
6. Matchmaking by Caroline Bingley.
7. A weekend in Reno or Las Vegas with Mr. Wickham.
8. A moral discussion with Mary Bennet and Mr. Collins.
9. A cross-country tour in the Barouche with the condescending Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

*From p emberley.com.....I have not included the full list as some are not fit for delicate teenage eyes. Click on the characters for fabulous descriptions on this great Jane Austen site.


So, today in class, we are investigating the proposal, so make sure you have revised, particularly chapters 31-34! I will be setting this week's homework which will be due next Wed, so if you're absent, please email me.

Mr Collins, directors' cut.

How have director's chosen to portray Austen's satirical, foolish parson throughout the years?

Here's the 1979 mini-series. This is the one we watched in Year 11 when we did P+P :-).



Here's the first dinner with Collins from the better-known versions:



Joe Wright played him shorter and less slimey in 2005, which works quite well, possibly due to Tom Hollander's acting range.

Poor old David Bamber, in 1995, highlights the obsequious folly so well and makes it clearly apparent why the girls are so appalled at the thought of marriage to Collins.

I can't say much about the Olivier/Garson version from 1940. It so ludicrously alters the whole tone of Pride and Prejudice from a witty, gentle comedy to some sort of mid-century, Gone With the Wind-style romp, that I can't take it seriously. Even Larry doesn't make this work for me, despite being certainly the best-looking Darcy. Plus, Greer Garson's almost old enough to play Mrs Bennet!

Essay time at Netherfield...

Give an account of the Netherfield Ball, emphasising particularly, the 'good' or 'bad' breeding of the most important characters.

Soooo, it's all a bit boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl hates boy, girl has this excruciating family.
What do I want you to cover in your first essay?

You need to show how the Bennet's display of their lack of class/breeding at the Netherfield Ball, in all its technicolour glory, reflects what was important to Austen and her milieu. Don't just make it a roll-call of eye-rolling embarrassment; remember to link your examples to the issues Austen was concerned with. What was important, in her opinion? What is she highlighting through these characters' behaviour?

Due: Wednesday 24th Feb! Don't submit this late! I will not pass you, plus I will give you the famous MzMez glare. (no pressure....)

MzMez Sez.*

Welcome to my world of literature, in all its bloggedy goodness. I offer you, dear Literature class of 2010, a forum in which to explore, adore and even abhor, all things literary.

Don't forget to comment! Mi Blogger e su Blogger. :-)

Coming up.....Is it Pride? Is it Prejudice? Or just a teensy weensy bit of both?

Stay tuned!!!


* abject apologies proffered for lame title rhyme. Ouch!